Lewis Hamilton sees no end in sight as F1 drought reaches 35 winless races

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton cast uncertainty over the possibility of ending his prolonged win drought in the realm of Formula 1.

The juggernaut that is Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team holds an iron grip over the field, rendering Hamilton's aspirations of triumph a challenging pursuit.

Hamilton's most recent triumph in a Grand Prix dates back to the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a remarkable 35 races ago as of the Belgian GP this year.

He has suffered an unprecedented winless spell in his illustrious career during the entirety of the 2022 season.

Over this period, his rival from the dramatic 2021 title race, Verstappen, has clinched victory in an astounding 26 races. This feat has led him to secure two World Championships, with a third in sight courtesy of his remarkable exploits in the RB19.

The 2023 F1 season has witnessed Verstappen's unyielding dominance, marked by an unbroken streak of eight victories and a total of 10 wins from the first 12 races.

Substantial progress

Hamilton did manage to seize his first pole position since the Saudi Arabian event, this time in Hungary. However, he acknowledges the formidable inherent pace of the Red Bull machine, which poses a challenge when battling for victory in the latter half of the season.

"I believe our progress has been substantial. Although our initial season's commencement was less than ideal, we've made significant strides," the seven-time champion said.

READ | Not at the races: Five F1 drivers who have disappointed in first half of 2023

"Our advancement throughout this season has been noteworthy, and I anticipate further achievements in the upcoming phase. My primary focus rests on securing the second position for the team."

He emphasised the monumental